Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA The Pyronauts - Surf And Destroy
 | I was so pleased to see another disc from one of Northern California's coolest bands, and even more pleased to see them live recently at Hotel Utah. This is a magnificent disc! |
Picks: Mike's Barracuda, Hey Fred!, Sifaka, Aztec Harry, Iron Board, Necronomicon ex Boardis, Cal-Tiki, Pie, Fire, Water, Supertanker Surf, Land Of The One-Eyed Tiki
Track by Track Review
Surf (Instrumental)
"Mike's Barracuda" is a faster surf track, rhythmic and splashy, with great glissandos. basic surf grumble and power.
Surf (Instrumental)
This is a thoroughly flippant and fun piece that's warm and thrilling. It's delicate backtrack writhes with lovely surf reverb while the lead plays a delightful melody. It's a happy go lucky track that's just impossible not to grin with.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Sifaka" is a splendidly infectious song with a sophisticated structure driven by superb surf rhythms. There are many fine tracks I love from The Pyronauts, but this is perhaps my fave. It portrays mysterious imagery, surf power, and a playful sophistication not common in surf. Superb playing and writing.
Surf (Instrumental)
A warm softness emotes from the guitar lines while great drums and bass back it up. The tribal drums dominate the transition passages commendable. "Aztec Harry" has a bit of a mysterious European sound to it.
Surf (Instrumental)
This classical tribute to Alfred Hitchcock uses the theme to his TV series. Amazingly cool interpretation, with warm island whammy and a solid surf beat. Double picked and liquid!
Surf (Instrumental)
"Surfboard Of The Dead" is a splendid surf instro with excellent rhythm and a somewhat optimistic melody line that lurks in the shadows. The psychedelic backwards guitar lines are very cool! This song has grown quite a bit over its life span. A very fine track that I kept coming back to.
Surf (Instrumental)
"Cal-Tiki" sports a rippin' surf rhythm behind a chunky riff with great drums, cool whammy chords, and dribbling glissandos. Fine track!
Surf (Instrumental)
A very infectious surf beat grabs you right away as "Pie" takes off. Double picked, joyous reverb, and a cool melody line. Solid beat and energy, and plenty to make you smile. An excellent track!
Surf (Instrumental)
Big drama and mysterious happenings open "Fire," eventually yielding to a chunkin' surf rhythm and a slightly unsettling melody line. Great drums and infectious guitar work.
Surf (Instrumental)
Slowly starting from a solo guitar line, "Water" gradually builds to an epic journey at a lumbering pace. The shear size of the visual here is overpowering. Aquatic and magnificent.
Surf (Instrumental)
Cutting through the crests and troughs as if they aren't there, a supertanker would have a hard time shooting the curl, yet "Supertanker Surf" seems to project just such an image. A playful track with a great thumping bass and lots of dribbling reverb.
Land Of The One-Eyed Tiki Surf (Instrumental)
Muted reverbed guitar, a bit of an Oriental flair, and a delicate interplay between the guitars. "Land Of The One-Eyed Tiki" gradually builds to a minor surf frenzy. Superb and unique.